Airship.



Patented July 2, 1912.

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Nm. A NS J. P. OLSEN, Jn.

AIRSHIP.

APPLIUATION FILED rn.26,1912.

J. P. OLSBN, JR.

AIRSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED P21126, 1912.

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.WITNESS J. P. OLSEN, JR.

AIRSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26,1912

Patented July 2, 1912.

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r En E www@ ` @Houma UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

JAMES P. OLSEN, JR., OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

AIRSHIP.

`Specifleatioa of Letters Patent.

` Patented Ju1y2,1912.

Application led February 26, 1912. Serial No. 679,952.

To all `whom, t may concern:

Be it known .that I, JAMES P. OLsEN, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residin at Salt Lake City, in the county of Salt ke 5 and State of Utah, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Airships, of which the following is a specification.

.My invent-ion relates to improvements inI airships and refers particularly to mechanisms for propelling and maintaining the lateral balance or equilibrium of the lifting planesor wings.

' The leading object of the invention is to provide an airshi havin "simple, eiiicient 15 and practical mec a-nism or propellin the air-ship upon the principle of a flying ird.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of lifting wings which will create and pocket .its own air upon a down stroke and will allow the air to pass I provide an airship which will carry a novel 'and simple form of emergency plane or canopy to be used upon. the occurrence of an accident. l

Other objects of the invention are to provide an airship which will have a simple and 'eflicient steering mechanism, said mechanism being adjustable both laterally and vertically to control both the upward and downward direction of the machine and 40 the right and left motion; which will be of extremely light weight but of great durai bility and slmplicity of construction; and

which will be at all times under perfectY control of the operator.

To 'attain the desired objects, my invenltion broadly stated, resides in the provision of an airship having a main frame carrying a driving engine and a plurality of adjustably mounted wings driven therefrom; an

emergency plane disposed above the main frame, and an auxiliary frame arranged rearwardly of the main frame and carryingL `the steering mechanism, and the invention more specifically stated consisting inthe provision of an airship embodying novel features of construction and combination of parts for service, substantially as disclosed herein.

In order that the detailed construction and operation ofthe invention may be clearly understood and its may advantages be fully appreciated, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings an airship constructed in accordance with andembodying the principles of the invention, it beng unl.derstood that I do not limit myself to the precise details of construction shown therein, but reserve the right to make such changes and modifications as come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

`Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine, the engine being-shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the main' frame and driving mechanism of the airship, showing the detailed construc- -tion and operation 'of the propelling mechanism. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the steering mechanism of the airshipa Fig. 4 is a top lan view on a reduced scale of the airship s owing the shape of the emergency plane or parachute. Fig. 5 is a perspective' View of oney of the wings detached.' Fig. 6

`is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a portion of one of the wings and the means for limiting the tilting of the wing. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a fragment-of one of the Wings showing the method of attachment to the frame, and Fi ."8 is a detail View, in elevation, of the c utch mecha` nism for throwing the engine Shaft into and out of operative position. Figs. 9,10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 represent detail views of parts of my mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings, in which I have employed similar numerals of reference to denote corresponding parts in the several views: the numeral 1 designates the main frame, of any desired material and shape, but preferably composed of a. plurality of light bars joined together toform a rectangular-shaped open supporting framework.

J ournaled upon the lower longitudinal frame bars 2 of the main frame are the supporting trucks 3 carrying the ground wheels 3', the purpose of which is obvious. Mount 'means of the uprights 5, is the emergency plane or canopy 6, which consists of a tapering frame having its central longitudinal portion terminating at each end in a triangular-shaped plane 6a and 6b, the apeX of the' forward plane being-slightly concaved as at Gc to oi'er the least possible resistance to the air. from the center of the plane are the diagonal planes 6d and 6e. The entire plane is covered with any desired material 7 and acts as a canopy or parachute in oase of an accident, the rear ends of the plane being connected to the lower frame bars 2 by means of the inclined braces 7 while'the peculiar shape of the canopy permits the machine to fly through the air with the minimum resistance.

Connecting the upper and lower frame bars 4 and 2 are t-he series of uprights 8, while the upper frame bars are connected to each other by the transverse bars 9, and

the lower frame bars are similarly connected by the transverse bars 10, the whole forming a rectangular-shaped supporting frame.

Suitably supporteduponl the frame 1 and indicated inv dotted lines,

ries the gear 12 upon its outer end, meshing with a gear 13, mounted upon the shaft 14, journaled upon the intermediate the gears 12 and 13 into and out of operative position, I provide an operating lever 15 and a segmental rack 16, secured upon the frame bars 2, a dog 17 being connected to the gripu18 of the lever and engaging the teeth of the rack 16, while the shaft llvand lever 15 are connectedby means of a rod 19, thev lever beingv arranged within easy access of the operators seat 20, likewise carried by the frameI bars 2. The shaft 14 is provided near eachend with the pairs of cranks 2l, slidably Amounted upon which are the lowerA inclined slotted ends of the. levers 22,'of-triangular shape, to the upper ends of' which are pivoted the pairs of front wings 23 and the 'rear wings 24, respectively.

a surrounding rim or frame 25, to which is pivoted a plurality of downwardly inclined slats 26.

wires 26', one disposed centrally thereof and the other two along each edge lof the the purpose of whichA isU to accommodate the slats to the upward and vdownward movement of the wings. Thus when the win-gs are being raised, the slats willopen automatically and allow the passage of the air therethrough, offering. but little surface to the action of the air and thus reducing Diverging rearwardly' Fig. 1, is the driv-V ing engine 10, the shaft 11 of which cartransverse bars 10 of the lower frame bars. To throw These wings, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 5 and 6, are composed of Passing under each wing are three the resistance to a minimum. When the wings are being lowered however, the slats are closed and itY over each other, thus pocketing the air under the wings and preventing the formation of the so called holes in the air, to the aviator frequently.

Passing centrally over the slats 26 and suitably secured to the frame 25 is the rod 27, the innerfend of which is inoased in a sleeve 28, mounted in a bracket 28 upon the frame bars 4, said sleeve having a pair of depending ears 29 to which is pivotally connected the upper end of the lever 22, while to relieve the rod 27 of any undue strain, a cable 30 is fastened at one end to each wing frame and has its other end connected to the lower portion of the lever.

To provide a tilting movement for the wings, a bracket 31 is secured to one side of each of the -wings and is provided with an outwardly .extending pin or lug 32 over which passes the outer end 33 of thebracket- 34, the inner end of which is looped at 35 to tit over'the frame bar 4, and this construction adords a simple and efficient construction whereby a tilting movement is imparted to the wings. l'

Byreference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the upper and lower frame bars 4 and 2, respectively, of the main frame are extended rearwardly .and gradually converge, terminating in the rectangular frame 36, in which is located my improved steering mechanism. Pivoted approximately lintermediate the vertical length -of the uprights 36 of the frame 36 is thehorizontal pintle 37, carrying' the horizontal rudder 38 vwhich controls the upward and downward direction of the flight. Also pivoted tothe uprights of the frame 36 is the pair of oppositely disposed vertical guide rods. 39, over and around whose ends andthe extremities of the horiwhich result in accident' verge as they approach thev forward end of the ,machlne i The apparatus for controlling the lateral movement of the machine consists of a vertical rudderv 41,' having a central out out portion to form'the pairof outwardly, difverging arms 42' and 43, the inner ends 'of which are pivoted to the vertical pintle 44, revolubly mounted in the sockets 45 of the upper and lower horizontal members`46 of the frame 36, while' each arm is provided with a horizontally disposed 'guide rod 47v and around the ends of which l and 48, over p pass 'the controlling wires 49 and 50 for each of the arms. By inspection. of Fig. 1, it will be seen that all of the controlling wires meet at a Acommon point and are guided toward the front end of the airship through` thel guide eyes 50, vldepending vfrom the frame bars 2. The wires for controlling the vertical movement of the machine are fastened to each end of the vertical guide rods 51, pivoted to the transverse shaft 52 of the steering wheel, which shaft is pivoted at 53 to thel frame bars 2'at yits outer extremities and supports intermediate its length the inclined steering Wheel 54. The wires for con-` cal Hight of the machine is controlled by means of the horizontal rudder38, pivoted to the frame 36, the controlling wires being passed over the tips of therudder and forwardly along the frame bars 2 at eachfside to the guide rod 51, which =is connected with the horizontal shaft 52. Inasmuch as the steering *wheel is pivoted upon this shaft, a

forward tilt of the wheel will give an u ward motion to the rudder, whereas a bac wardtilt of the wheel will give a downward motion, as will be readily understood. The

lateral flight of the airship is controlled by means of the vertical rudder 41, the controlling wires passing over the drums 55 lo- 4cated on each side of the frame bars 2 and thence upward and over the sheave 56,'the movement of the wheel, governing the direction of the lateral flight.

The operation ofthe lifting wings is, as

before stated, on the same principle as the flight of a bird, and 4briefly stated is as follows: The shaft 14 receives rotary motion from the engine and transmits this motion to the levers 22 through the medium of the pairs of cranks. .As the levers have their lower ends slotted to slide upon the cranks, the rotary motion is thus transformed into .reciprocating motion and is imparted to th yinsures a perfect maintenance of equil1br1um.

While I have shown and described but two pairs of wings, it will be understood that I do not limit myself to this number,

but that any number of pairs may be used,y

dependent upon the size and capacity of the airship, the underlying principle of the invention residing inthe arrangement of the wings in oppositely Operating pairs to evenly distribute the pull.

1 From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, it will be apparent to al1 that I have accomplished the objects set forth above, and that the airship will be safe, extremely simple in construction, and practical and eilicient from every point of view.

. In Figs. 9 and 10 are shown on an enlarged scale a modified and preferred construction `of the means connected to the wings to more clearly illustrate this part of my mechanism.

In Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14, are shown ou an enlarged scale detail views of the connection between the rocker arms, frame, and wings, for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the novel construction of this mechanism of my invention. In this construction, the rocker arms have secured thereto at their upper ends, the sleeves 28 to which are secured the yokes 60` formed with bearings or journals 61, which fit in the bearing boxes carried by the frame and consisting of the lower member 62 and the detachable upper members or caps 63.

1. In an airship, a main frame, wings reciprocally mounted thereon, and means including curved arms slidable on the main frame and connected to said wings for tilting the wings.

2. In an airship, a main frame, wings reciprocally mounted thereon, means including curved arms slidable on the main frame and connected to said wings for tilting the wings, and means for permitting the passage of air-through'said wings upon the upward stroke of the wings.

3. In lan airship, a main frame, wings reciprocally mounted thereon, said wings consisting of a plurality of slats hinged to the'wing frame, means passing along the underfaces of the Wings for permitting the automatic opening and closing of the slats,

a bracket secured to each wing, and arms slidably mounted upon the main frame and connected to said brackets for tilting the wings.

4. In an airship, the combinationl with a main frame, of wings reciprocally mounted thereon, and provided with automatic opening and closing devices hinged thereto, a bracket secured to each wing, and arms slidably mounted upon the main frame and connected to said brackets for tilting the wings. y

5. In an airship, the combination with a main frame, of wings'rnounted thereon, a

rodl extending medially over eachv wing, automatic opening and closing devices hinged to the wing frame, a sleeve incasing the inner end of each wing rod and provided with depending ears,- and levers of substantially right-angled configuration connected to said ears at'their upper ends' for reciprocating the wings.

y 7. In an alrship, the combination with a main frame, of wings lmounted thereon, a

rod extending medially over eachwing, slats hinged to the wings, a plurality of control' ling cords passing under each wing togcontrol the automatic opening and closing of the slats ;a sleeve incasing the inner yend of each wing rod'an'd provided with depending ears, a bracket secured to the wing frame and providedjwith an outwardly projected lug, an arm secured to the main frame and working over said lug, ,and means for re' ciprocating the wings. .j y A 8. In an airship, the combination ofthe lsupl'aorting frame, a driving shaft mounted therein, and formed with two pairs of douf blev cranks, two pairs of levers connected f with said cranks, wings connected to the ledriving' shaft.

vers, meansA including arms slidableon the. frame and connected to the wings-for reciprocating said'wing's, an engine mounted in the frame and connected to the driving shaft, and mechanism for throwing the engine into and out of connection with the 9A In .an airship, main frame, the tapering canopy supported above the main frame, the auxiliary frame, the ruddersmounted in said frame and capable of movementvertically and laterally,

means for manually' operating the rudders,

`a driving mechanism mounted in the frame, wlngs mounted upon the frame and connectednvith the driving mechanism, brackets ,upon the double cranks, wings formed upon said wings, and arms slidable Aupon the frame engaging the brackets to provide a tilting movement for the wings.

10. In an airship, the combination'offthe main frame, the tapering canopy supported above the main frame, the auxiliary frame, ythe rudders mounted in said frame and capable of avertical and a lateral movement, means for manually operating the rudders, and a driving mechanism mounted in the frame, said driving mechanism `consisting of ya drivingshaft having two sets of double cranks, anv engine for driving the shaft, levershaving slots in their lower ends fitting pivoted upon the framel and connected to the upper ends l1. an a1rship,- incombination witha the combination of the main frame, a tapering secondary frame mounted thereabove and having a concaved apex and a pair planes, a driving engine mounted on the main frame, a cranked shaft driven thereby, right an led shaped levers .having their lower en s slotted to engagegthe cranks of said shaft and having wings provided with automatic opening and closing devices pivotally mounted upon their upper ends, arms mounted upon the main frame and connected to said wings, and steering mechanis'm for controlling the vertical rand lateral flight of the airship.

12. In an, airship, in combination with a main frame, a secondary frame mounted thereabove, a driving Ven the main frame, right-ang ed shaped levers operatively connected with the driving engine and provided with wings at their upper ends, arms slidable uponl ythe 'main frame and connected to said wings for tilting same,an open rectangular frame disposed rearwardly of the main frame, a horif zontal rudder and a vertical rudder pivoted to said frame, and a steering wheel located near the forward end of the mainframe and connected" with the horizontal and,ve1"tical rudders for controlling the vertical and lateral flightA of the airship.

13. In an airship, a frame, a driving shaft carried therebyw1ngs carriedtby the frame,

I and connections between the wings and'driv-L ing shaft comprising triangular-shaped levers slotted at their bases to engage the shaftand carrying sleeves at their apices, yokes secured to said sleeves and formed with journals, and bearing boxes carried by .the frame'fitting said journals of the sleeves.

14. In an airship, a frame, driving means carried thereby, a shaft carried by theframe centrally of its longitudinal length and connected to the driving means, oppositely arranged pairs of wings mounted on the frame, connections between the l shaft and wings for operating the wings, and curved arms yconnected to the frame and slidable thereon for tiltingthe wings,

151 In an airship, a Vframe, a carried thereby, Wings carried by the frame, and right triangular levers having yslotted bases engaging wings at their apices wings,

16. In an airship, a frame,

for operating said a driving shaft driving vshaft the shaft and pivqted to the of rearwardly diverging 'ine mounted on carried thereby, wings carriedl by the frame,

sleeves on the wings, and right `triangular levers having slotted bases engaging the shaft and pivoted to the sleeves on the Wings at their apices for operating said wings.

17. carried thereby, wings carried by the frame, right triangular levers having slotted bases engaging the shaft and plvoted to the wings In anairship, a frame, a driving shaftv at their apices for operating said wings, andmeans for tilting said Wings in a horizontall plane. A

18. In an airship, a main frame,- a driving shaft carried thereby,'wings carried by the frame, a second frame, a steering mechanism therein, a steering device mounted on the main frame, and connected with the steering mechanism of ,the second frame, and levers having their bases slotted to engage over t-he driving shaft and pivoted to the Wings at their apices for operating said Wings.

19. In an air-ship, a main frame, a driving shaft'carried thereby, Wings carried by the frame, a second frame, a steering mechanism therein, a steering device mounted on the main frame and connected with the steerin mechanism of the second frame, anlauxi iary frame mounted upon the main frame,

vlevers havingl their bases slotted to engage over the driving vshaftand pivoted to the `Wings at 'their .apices for operating said Wings, and means slidable upon the main frame and engaging the Wings for tilting same in a horlzontal plane.

20. In an alrshlp, a mam frame, a cranked 'driving shaft carrled centrally thereby, Wings mounted upon the main frame upon each side thereof, a lsecond frame, a steering mechanismtherein, a steering device on the main frame and connected with the steering mechanism of the second frame, an auxiliary frame mounted above the main frame, and connections including right triangular levers having slotted bases to engage the cranks ofthe driving shaft and pivotally connected to the Wings at their apces for operating -the Wings.

In testlmony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES P. oLsEN, JR,

Witnesses: HAROLD S. RULAJND,

A. H. LUBECK. 

